Tray



Nov. 6, 1934.

G. C. WEBB.

TRAY

Filed June v20, 1953 Patented Nov. 6, 1934 UNITED-STATES PATENT OF F ICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved tray, which is moreparticularly adapted for use with card tables.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is swingingly connected to a card table, or the like, and is capable of being swung upon a central pivot to a full open position for supporting an ash receptacle and a tumbler, or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tray which may be swung to a closed position, in which position its outeredge'will be inaline- 'ment with the edge of the table so that a smooth *unobstructed outer edge surface for said table L willbe provided.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tray in connection with which means are employed" for retaining said tray in a full open or completely closed position.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will be characterized by the utmost simplicity and durability.

The, invention contemplates other objects not =Ll hereinbeforementioned which will render themselves apparent as the description of the invention proceeds.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein,

Figui'el is aperspective view showing the tray in anopen positionon a card table and showing an ash receptacle in positionfor'insertion in the tray, atumbler being shown in position in dotted lines,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view' of a :card table and showingthe tray as it would appear in closed position,

Figure 3 is afragmentary vertical sectional view taken .on theuline ..33 ofFigure 2 and 2 0 looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows, Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional .1745 View taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 indicates in general a card 5 table which may be of any desired construction. The card table is provided with legs 2 and a side wall 3 which is formed with a longitudinal oblong slot 4, the ends of which are rounded, as indicated at 5.

My improved tray, which is indicated in general by the numeral 6, is preferably formed from a single blank of relatively heavy sheet metal. As best seenin Figures 1 and 3 of the drawing, the tray is substantially semi-circular in shape and is bent to form a straight front edge '7. The tray is bent inwardly in parallel relation to the top wall 8 thereof to form a flange 9 which is adapted to rest upon the lower edge wall of the oblong slot 4. As best seen in Figure 4 of the drawing, the bottom flanges of the tray is formed with notches 10 which open toward the inner edge of said flange and said flange is also provided with sockets 11 which are disposed in alinement with the inner extremities of the notches 10. Formed in the top wall 8 of the tray is a sub- 'stantially segmental shape opening 12, portions of the top wall 8 about said opening being bent downwardly as shown in Figure 3 to define a ledge 13. Retaining tongues 14 project downwardly from the ledge. The opening is adapted to re- 5 ceive an ash receptacle 15 which is formed with afflangedfi' adapted to seat upon the ledge 13 'sothat the upper surface of said flange is in the same parallel plane with the upper surface of the wall 8. Formed in the wall in close spaced- -relation to the opening 12 is a circular opening 17 which is intended to receive atumbler, or the like and support the tumbler as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1. I

Extending through the top wall 8 and the flange 9, medially of the length of the tray, is a mounting pin 18 which rotatably mounts the tray within the slot 4. The mounting pin is, of course, anchored at its upper and lower ends in the wall 3 of the table 1.

Mounted in the wall 3 near one end of the slot 4 beneath vthelower flange 9 of the tray isan upwardly presentedplungerhousing 19. A ball plunger 20, which is actuated by a coil spring 21 in theihousing,.is.normally urged upwardly into engagement with one of the sockets 11 on the lower flange. A pin 22 projects upwardly on the lower portion of the wall 3 adjacent the opposite end of the slot from the plunger housing and plunger 21 and is adapted to engage in one of the slots 10 in the flange. For purposes of facilitating manual engagement, the front edge '7 has its end portions extended beyond the wall 8 and flange 9 to provide projecting ears 23 which are adapted snugly to fit in the rounded ends 5 of the oblong slot 4.

The tray 6 is provided at its arcuate edge with a depending reinforcing flange 24 which will largely prevent accidental bending of the tray, I10

which might be caused by contact thereof with some extraneous object.

When the card table is not in use and has been stored, the tray is swung to underlie the inner surface of the top wall of the table, as best shown in Figure 3 of the drawing. A smooth unobstructed outer surface of the wall 3 will be provided when the device is in closed position for the reason that, as stated, the straight front edge 7 is in the same vertical plane with the outer surface of the wall 3.

In use, when it is desired to support a tumbler, or place ashes in the receptacle 15, the ear 23, located at the left with respect to the center as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, is manually pressed upon and the entire tray is swung upon the pin 18 for bringing the receptacle 15 into a position exteriorly of the table. The opening 17 will, at the same time, be disposed clear of the table so that a tumbler may be readily placed therein. The plunger 20 will engage in the socket 11 disposed thereabove and the pin 22 will be disposed in the notch 10 so that the tray will be effectually retained in an open position. Danger of upsetting the contents of the receptacle 15 or upsetting the tumbler is thereby reduced to a minimum. The receptacle 15 may be readily removed from the tray when desired but, in view of the fact that I employ the tongues 14, the receptacle will be effectually retained in position in the opening 12 under normal conditions.

The device, when the need for it has ceased, may be again swung on its pivot to a closed position, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing.

Attention is directed to the fact that inasmuch as the tray is formed from a single piece of metal, it may be manufactured very cheaply and will, at the same time, be highly durable in use so that it may be used over long periods of time without replacement.

It is believed that a reading of theforegoing description will disclose that I have provided a simple and highly efficient device of this character which should meet with favor on the market.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A table having a top and a depending wall formed with a longitudinally extending slot, a tray having an arcuate edge and a straight edge between ends of the arcuate edge, a lip depend ing from the straight edge of said tray and at its lower edge carrying an inwardly extending flange disposed below the tray in spaced parallel relation thereto, said tray being received in said slot with its upper face contacting with the upper wall of the slot and said flange resting upon the lower wall of the slot, a pin passed vertically through the tray and flange midway the length of the flange and having its upper and lower end portions embedded in the wall of the table, said pin pivotally mounting the tray for turning movement from an extended position to a retracted position beneath the table top, the tray when retracted having its lip filling the slot with its outer face flush with the outer face of said wall, said flange having its end portions formed with notches spaced an equal distance from the pivot pin and opening through the free side edge of the flange, an abutment rising from the lower wall of said slot near one end thereof and engageable in either notch to limit turning movement of the tray, and a latch for engaging said flange and releasably securing the tray in extended and retracted positions.

2. A table having a top and a depending wall formed with a longitudinally extending slot, a tray formed of sheet metal and having an arcuate edge and a straight edge, the straight edged portion of the tray being bent downwardly to form a depending lip corresponding in length and depth to the slot and a flange extending inwardly from the lower edge of the lip under the tray in spaced parallel relation to the tray, an opening being formed in said tray and portions of the tray about margins of the opening being bent downwardly to form a sunken ledge about the opening, a receptacle fitting into said opening and having a marginal rim resting upon said ledge to support the receptacle in the opening with the upper face of the rim flush with the upper face of the tray, a pivot pin for said tray extending vertically through the flange and tray midway the length of the flange and having its ends embedded in the wall of the table above and below the slot to pivotally mount the tray for turning movement through the slot from an extended position to a retracted position beneath the table top, means to limit swinging movement of said tray, and means for releasably securing the tray in an adjusted position.

3. A table having a top and a depending wall formed with a longitudinally extending slot, a tray formed of sheet metal and having an armate edge and a straight edge, the straight edged portion of the tray being bent downwardly to form a depending lip corresponding in length and depth to the slot and a flange extending inwardly from the lower edge of the lip under the tray in spaced parallel relation to the tra said tray being disposed through the slot with its upper face contacting with the upper wall of the slot and said flange resting upon the lower wall of the slot, and a pivot pin for mounting said tray out of retracted position for swinging movement into and extending vertically through the flange and tray midway the length of the flange and having projecting end portions embedded in the 'wall above and below the slot, the tray when retracted having its lip filling the slot with its outer face flush with the outer face of the table Wall.

GEORGE C. WEBB. EL. s.] 

